In the context of the Holy Spirit, what does 'unction' refer to?

'Unction' in the context of the Holy Spirit primarily refers to spiritual empowerment. This term is often associated with the anointing or enabling by the Holy Spirit that empowers individuals for specific tasks or ministries within the Church. It signifies a divine enablement that allows believers to operate in spiritual gifts, proclaim the gospel with authority, and perform acts of service and leadership in ways that transcend their natural abilities.

This understanding connects to biblical examples where the Spirit anoints individuals, such as prophets and leaders, for fulfilling God’s purposes. The concept of unction highlights the active presence and work of the Holy Spirit in empowering believers to live out their faith dynamically and effectively.

In contrast, while divine calling, physical healing, and religious authority can all be associated with the work of the Holy Spirit, they do not directly capture the essence of 'unction' as specifically as spiritual empowerment. Divine calling deals with the sense that individuals receive a specific mission or task from God, physical healing addresses miraculous recovery or health restoration, and religious authority pertains more to the power dynamics and roles within the Church's structure. Therefore, spiritual empowerment is the most fitting interpretation of the term 'unction' in this context.